What a stinker!

The Bureau of Meteorology's seasonal climate outlook for November 2013-January 2014 forecasts hotter than average daytime and overnight temperatures and lower than average rainfall.

"It is probably one of our more bleak outlooks, unfortunately," says forecaster Andrew Cearns, who adds secondary influences like higher sea temperatures will drive the weather while major influences such as the Southern Oscillation Index remain neutral.

"Even though we are in a neutral pattern, the sea surface temperatures are warmer pretty much around Australia... that's probably making it warmer than average," he said.

Most of Queensland has a 60-70 per cent chance of above average temperatures while western Queensland regions have an 80 per cent chance of a hotter than average summer.

In terms of rainfall most of Queensland has a 60-70 per cent chance of receiving below average rainfall this summer and Mr Cearns expects western centres like Richmond and Mt Isa to receive about 140mm instead of the usual 150-200mm.

North of about Cardwell the chance of average rainfall is closer to 50 per cent and Townsville, which usually gets about 400mm, is more likely to receive 320mm of rain this summer says Mr Cearns.

"But things like the rainfall can change very quickly with just a single event so it is not all doom and gloom, but on the odds of probability it is not looking too good," he said.